Decoration

Parole Eligibility For Multiple Convictions For First Degree Murder

Parole eligibility for the Montreal Mosque shooter has been reduced to 25 years as Quebec’s Court of Appeal declared section 745.51 of the Criminal Code unconstitutional. That section permitted judges to impose multiple life sentences, for multiple murders, in blocks of 25 years. These sentences could be ordered to be served consecutively, and beyond one’s natural life.

Alexandre Bissonnette plead guilty in March 2018 to six counts of first-degree murder and six of attempted murder. He was sentenced to serve five concurrent minimum 25-year periods on 4 counts, and an additional/consecutive period of 15 years on one count. He was thus eligible for parole after serving 40 years. Per this decision, he is now eligible to apply for parole after serving 25 years.

While defense launched the appeal, the crown on appeal sought a sentence increase to a 150 year prison sentence: 6 separate life sentences, one per homicide, to be served consecutively. This sentence of course is beyond one’s natural life.

Given the national significance of the Quebec Court of Appeal ruling, the case was appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada who dismissed the appeal and upheld the Parole eligibility of Bissonnette to 25 years.

If you are charged with Murder or Manslaughter you need top murder lawyers at NP Criminal Defence. Call Norman Panzica at 416420795 mmediately for a free consultation.

R. v. Bissonnette, 2022 SCC 23

Bissonnette c. R., 2020 QCCA 1585

 

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